Issue order

In a command structure, superiors issue orders to subordinates, who are compelled to follow them. The supposition is that superiors have access to knowledge not available to everyone, and that their orders will fulfill some goal related to this knowledge.

Though there are no penalties imposed on Battlefield players who do not follow orders, there are plenty of incentives for players to follow through. The ability to issue and follow orders adds a layer of depth to Battlefield games not seen in many team-based shooters. Players can test their leadership skills as a commander or squad leader, or join a squad and find how they can best support their teammates.

Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142 allow certain players to issue orders to others via the Commo rose or Map view. Kills and support actions performed near an objective earn Success Points for the squad leader. Support actions performed on squad mates also earn Squad Member Assist points for the player giving them. Commanders earn points only in relation to success points earned by players under their command.

In Battlefield: Bad Company 2 players can order squadmates to attack or defend an objective, receiving bonus points if their orders are followed with such actions as killing an enemy, healing, resupplying or repairing. If a player obtains both an attack and defend order he is awarded with the Squad Member pin and 200 experience points.

Orders in Battlefield 3 have been heavily revamped. Squad leaders use the Spotting button on an objective's icon to issue an order. Points are then awarded to players who follow the order and the leader who issued it. Any damage inflicted on an enemy near an objective will also provide bonus points, even if no other score is earned (kills, flag capture, etc.). Flag captures and M-COM station actions provide more points than before, making it possible for a player to outscore teammates without even harming enemies.

In the PC version, a special Issue Order command is available in the Commo Rose, allowing squad leaders to spot targets at flags without ordering an attack. (Before this patch, issued orders would take precedence over spotting, making it difficult to alert teammates of threats on flags.) The chosen objective will receive tick marks around its icon.

Commander Mode introduces Chain of Command. Commanders issue orders to Squad Leaders who then issue orders to squad mates. If those orders are followed through, all players involved in the chain of command will be rewarded with points.